Bay of Pigs - The Basics

In January 1959 the Cuban revolution triumphed over the dictatorship
of Fulgencio Batista. President
Eisenhower was surprised to learn that Cuba's revolution was a social
revolution and not just the exchange of one regime for another. Relations with
the U.S. soon began to deteriorate.

The attack was on April 17 1961, beginning with aerial
bombings...

On March 17 1960 Eisenhower approved a covert plan of action against
Cuba that included the use of a "powerful propaganda campaign," and the
organization of a paramilitary force of Cuban exiles to invade the island.

The attack was carried out on April 17 1961, beginning with aerial
bombings of key airports two days before in an attempt to disable the Cuban air
force.

The night landing was immediately discovered and reported, and within
three days the invasion was defeated. 1,189 invaders were taken prisoner, and 4
American pilots were killed in battle.

The CIA-generated plan was a total failure in practice and an
embarrassment for U.S. President John F. Kennedy at the United Nations and in
the media.

The prisoners were tried in mass televised trials, and most were
released to the U.S. in exchange for $53 million in food and medicine within a
year.

As a result of the U.S. failure at Bay of Pigs and the
diplomatic embarrassment that ensued, President Kennedy fired long-time CIA
Director Allen W. Dulles, Deputy Director Charles P. Cabell, and the one
principally responsible for the operation, Deputy Director Richard Bissell.

Covert operations against Cuba continued, however, and a crop of
documents declassified in March 2002 shed light on a plan (approved by U.S.
Defense Secretary Robert McNamara) in which it would be made to appear that
Cuba had attacked U.S. vessels and the military base at
Guantánamo Bay. This would open
the door for a full U.S. invasion.

Facts About the Invasion

- Richard M. Nixon proposed it

- Dwight D. Eisenhower planned it

- Robert F. Kennedy championed it

- John F. Kennedy approved it

- The CIA carried it out

- 1,189 invaders were captured

- 200 of them had been soldiers in Batista's army (14 of those were
wanted for murder in Cuba)